NewsEvan HoltComment

Portage To 2024

NewsEvan HoltComment
Portage To 2024

Each year we give a yearly rundown of some of the biggest news while looking ahead to the next year. Join us as we portage to 2024!

Top 10 Most Read Articles in 2023

Last year’s top articles highlighted companies such as MEC, Maps and gear… this year at Traversing the most read articles were...

#10 - Adventure Guide Is Closing

It’s sad to see a well loved business close its doors, but after 40 years serving the Kitchener, Ontario area… Adventure Guide is closing. Thankfully it is a happy story… the family owned business is retiring.

#9 - PortagePal Is The Perfect Invention For Carrying Your Paddles

We definitely see a lot of crowdfunded outdoors gear, but it’s not too often we see a Canadian made and manufactured canoeing gear that is pretty creative. Definitely check out the PortagePal.

#8 - 2023 Backcountry Hiking And Canoe Route Map Of Killarney

With the aging Jeff’s Map edition of Killarney starting to show its age (especially now that Killarney renumbered its campsites), the new official map from Ontario Parks was a welcome sight to campers.

#7 - Hikers Haven Has Closed

Hikers Haven in Oakville, Ontario was the last vestige of the popular Toronto discount gear stores “Europe Bound” which closed way back in 2017. Hikers Haven was a fantastic place to shop because it was wall to wall discount outdoors gear. Because it was so tucked away off the West end of Toronto, we didn’t even realize it had closed until months later. They will be missed.

#6 - Algonquin's "The Portage Store" Is Now The "Portage Outpost"

Once the contract expired for the iconic Canoe Lake outfitter building in Algonquin Park, a chain reaction happened that caused a bit of controversy. First The Portage Store (which had occupied the location there for 47 years) didn’t renew the contract just months before they would open for the season… then they scrambled and purchased a new location (just outside of the West Gate) and relaunched their business at the Portage Outpost. We hope they had a very successful first year of business. Algonquin Outfitters now runs the Canoe Lake spot which offers canoeists a put-in to paddle off into the interior of the park.

#5 - Gear Review: Therm-a-Rest Polar Ranger -20F/-30C Sleeping Bag

Therm-a-Rest’s Polar Ranger sure makes braving the cold so much easier, however it does come at a price. Once you’re spending a night laying in comfort within that much down… you might just change your mind about winter camping and want to spend even more nights under the stars.

#4 - 'Maps By Jeff' Announces The Long Awaited Algonquin Map

I’m sure this would have ranked even higher if it wasn’t for the fact that Jeff launched his new set of maps at the tail end of November of this year. Five years in the making… and worth the wait. The new series of maps is now split into five parts and every inch of the park has been painstakingly scrutinized to show off its tripping potential. Buy all five to save 20% while you are at it!

#3 - Announcing: Canoe Route A.I.

We had a lot of fun crafting this year’s April Fools joke. What if there was a website that harnessed the power of artificial intelligence and could plan canoe routes for you? The wonderful thing is… we’re not too far off this already becoming reality.

#2 - NEMO Announces New Tents, Sleeping Bag, Pad And Chair For 2024

By shaving some grams off the weight of their gear, NEMO sure caught the attention of backpackers with their offerings for 2024. If you’re looking to reduce your pack weight, you should have a gander at what’s to come.

#1 - Casting Is Open For Alone Season 11

We don’t watch much reality TV, but History Channel’s Alone is a guilty pleasure of ours. Send 10 survivalists into the remote wilderness and see who is the last one standing. It’s a pretty entertaining premise, and always makes us ponder… ‘what would we do in this situation?’. It becomes a bit harry near the end of each season as attrition starts to send the participants home… but the opportunity to win a prize of $500,000 (USD) sure brought a lot of people to read more about it. Think you have a shot?

Business Updates

Route Planning, GPS and SOS

Park News Updates

Cool New Gear

Year End Recaps

Other 2023 news…

Traversing News

We turned 13 this year and had numerous fun trips with our little one, and one memorable trip with my father. Despite all the tripping we only released one video. This year was definitely spent just taking in the surroundings on our trips and not turning the camera towards us.

We did however answer a very important question… when winter camping, should the air mattress go above the closed foam pad, or below (don’t forget to subscribe to our channel)…

We also had some incredible photos entered in this year’s canoeing photo contest. We invite you to check them out if you haven’t as an incredible source of inspiration. We also want to send another shout-out to both Ostrom Outdoors and MEC for generously offering the prizes!

Looking ahead to 2024

Thanks for portaging with us. Did we miss anything? Let us know (including which trips you have in the works)!